Method and system for providing animal health histories and tracking inventory of related drug usage

ABSTRACT

A computer-based system for providing up-to-date health histories of animals, for example, in a feedlot. The system includes indicia means associated with each animal for identifying the animal and data entry means coupled to a computer for reading the indicia means to identify the animal to the computer. The data entry means also communicates to the computer treatment data comprising the animal&#39;s physical condition and any treatment administered to the animal. The computer is programmed to record the identity and associated treatment data and collect the data with previous data to provide the animal&#39;s health history. The system also displays the identified animal&#39;s prior health history at the animal&#39;s location for the operator&#39;s benefit, which location is typically an animal hospital remote from the computer&#39;s location. The system may include a second data entry means for determining the net amount of drugs taken for animal treatment from an inventory. The computer is programmed to compare the net amount taken against the amount administered in treatment as communicated by the first data entry means to determine a difference in the amounts.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/226,292, now U.S. Pat.No. 5,803,906, filed Apr. 11, 1994, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 07/827,843, filed Jan. 29, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No.5,315,505, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/457,338,filed Dec. 27, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 07/085,073, filed Aug. 12, 1987, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to systems for providing individualhealth histories of animals, for example, in a cattle feedlot operation.More particularly, this invention relates to such a system wherein theidentity of each animal and data representing the physical condition andtreatment administered to each animal is recorded, made available at theanimal's location, and accumulated with earlier data to provide anup-to-date health history of each animal.

Large scale cattle feedlot operations are commonly employed to feedcattle prior to slaughter. Typically, the cattle of a particular ownerare identified by a lot number for keeping track of the goods andservices provided for the cattle while in the care of the feedlot. Eachindividual head is further identified with a unique number such as bytag for keeping track of individual treatments required, such as drugsdispensed for each particular sickness, and for monitoring the physicalcondition of each animal. Through these identifying numbers, the feedlotoperation can maintain a health history for each animal in each lot andcharge the cattle owner for feed, drugs, and services provided for eachhead.

This system, although simple to implement, is slow and fraught witherror because of the manual effort required to gather and record thedata. Typically, data is manually recorded twice. At an animal hospitalon the feedlot, cattle are observed and treated if necessary. Anoperator records in writing the physical condition of each animal, anyobserved sickness, and the drug treatment administered. This writtenrecord is then transferred to a clerk to be entered into a cumulativehistory. Both recordings are subject to error. Compounding the problemis the the potential for illegible entries, incomplete entries, and lostentries. For example, often cold, adverse weather conditions at afeedlot make it difficult for an operator to grip the pen for writingand also interfere with the flow of ink through the instrument.Moreover, the manual recording and rerecording are lengthy andconsequently the cumulative health history is often several days out ofdate.

These problems associated with manual entry of data are well known, andattempts have been made to minimize the errors in several aspects offeedlot operations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,856 to Linsethdiscloses an apparatus for separately feeding animals which have notgained sufficient weight. The Linseth apparatus is adapted to weigh eachanimal as it is walked through a weigh station. An operator reads theidentification number that appears on an ear tag of the animal andenters the number into a keyboard connected to a computer. The animal isthen weighed and the amount entered into the computer. The computer hasstored within its memory different weight ranges for cattle, which thecomputer compares with the weight of the animal weighed. Each range isrelated to a gate that leads to a different feeding pen. The computerdetermines the weight range in which the animals lies and opens theappropriate gate to direct the animal to the desired feeding pen. Theprocdure is then repeated for reevaluation of the animal after a periodof feeding. The Linseth apparatus, however, still requires manual entryof information and lacks any means for creating and displaying at theanimal's location a cumulative history of the animal's physicalcondition and treatment administered.

Other apparatus have addressed individual monitoring of an animal'sconsumption. U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,240 to Ostler, for example, discloses amonitoring apparatus that dispenses a preselected amount of feed to acow identified by a transmitter around its neck. The feeding stationincludes a receiver-transmitter in communication with a computer thathas stored within its memory a feeding schedule for the animal. Thecomputer determines how much feed is to be dispensed to each animalindividually. The operator can thereby control how much each animal eatsand monitor if in fact the prescribed amount of food is consumed. Butthe apparatus is limited in its ability to monitor and control thefeeding of cattle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,950 to Byrne et al. similarly discloses an animalfood consumption monitor. Each animal bears a tag that includes aminiature transmitter which transmits a signal identifying the animal.The feed station for the animal includes a receiver for identifying theanimal before it begins consuming feed. With the animal identified, thefood in the station hopper is weighed before and then after the animalfeeds to determine the amount consumed. The data on the amount and typeof food consumed is then stored for later retrieval. The Byrne monitor,like the Ostler apparatus, identifies the animal without manual effort.But, again, it provides no on-site, up-to-date history of the animal'shealth.

Although the apparatus described above and others in the prior art offersome improvements in feedlot operations, they do not address the problemof maintaining up-to-date health histories of the physical condition andthe drug treatment of the animals. Such histories are critical indetermining the progress of a sick animal as well as keeping track ofthe cost of drugs for each animal. The manual method is thus stillpreferred for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide an improved methodand system for providing the health histories of animals.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a system which isportable to the animals' location.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a system thatavoids the need for manually identifying each animal to be treated andmanually recording the physical condition and treatment administered.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a system thatprovides at the animals' location up-to-date health histories for eachanimal observed and treated by the system.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a system thatcompares the net amount of drugs taken for treatment from a druginventory against the amount of drugs actually administered from theinventory to determine the difference in amounts.

To achieve these objects, a system according to the invention includescomputer means for recording the identity of each animal and treatmentdata associated with the animal. This data comprises the physicalcondition of the animal and drug treatments administered to the animal.Each animal to be treated bears indicia means such as a bar coded eartag or radio transmitter tag which can be read by data entry means suchas a bar code scanner or antenna, respectively, to communicate theidentity of the animal to the computer means. A bar coded menu sheet isalso provided which can be read by the bar code scanner to communicatethe treatment data associated with the animal at the time of treatment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the computer means comprises a hostcomputer for storing the health histories of the animals and a portableunit for locating near an animal to be treated. The portable unit isadapted to record treatment data each time the animal is treated and tolater transfer the data to the host computer for inclusion in the healthhistory of the animal.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the computer means comprises aremote terminal connected directly to the host computer for transmittingdata to the host computer without the need for recording and latertransfer. This embodiment may be used where AC power is available.

The computer means may also track drug inventory for treatment of theanimals and with a second data entry means for communicating to thecomputer means the removal and restocking of drugs from the inventory.The computer means is adapted to compare the net amount of drugs takenfrom the inventory as communicated by the second scanner against theamount of drugs used in treatment as communicated by the first scannerto determine a difference in the amounts.

In the method of the invention, a data terminal is provided at thelocation of the animal. An operator identifies the animal to theterminal, which displays the prior health history. If treatment isnecessary, the operator enters data representing the drug treatment tobe administered to the animal. Treatment data is then transferred to ahost computer for accumulation with treatment data earlier recorded. Theaccumulated data comprises the health history of the animal. The updatedhistory is then transferred from the host computer back to the dataterminal.

The present invention eliminates the manual entry of this data and thusavoids the associated drawbacks of prior entry methods and systems.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment which proceeds with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portable hospital unit included in afirst embodiment of a system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the portable hospital unit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the portable hospital unit in communicationwith a host computer included in the system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the animal health computer of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the systemaccording to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the programming of the host computer.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a portion of thehospital/processing menu within the programming of the host computer.

FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a second portion ofthe hospital/processing menu within the programming of the hostcomputer.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating a portion of the programming of theportable unit.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating a second portion of the programmingof the portable unit.

FIG. 8C is a flowchart illustrating a third portion of the programmingof the portable unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The System—First Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an animal 10 and an operator 12in an area of a cattle feedlot referred to as an animal hospital 14. Ananimal 10 may be brought to the hospital 14 for a check on its physicalcondition, for treatments that are administered to all animals in aparticular lot, and if an animal is to be individually treated forsickness. Typically, the animal hospital 14 includes a cattle chute anda head gate (not shown) for holding the animal stationary while itsweight and temperature are checked and any drugs are administered.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the system of the invention in this embodimentincludes a portable hospital unit 16 that can be transported to thehospital 14 for use by the operator 12. This portability enables theoperator to care for cattle with a single unit at several hospitalslocated around the feedlot rather than at a single hospital to which allcattle must be directed. Coupled to the portable unit 16 is a means forentering data into the unit such as an optical character reader, whichin this first embodiment comprises a portable bar code scanner 18available from a number of sources including the MSI Data Corporationunder the name SYMBOLTEC LS8100. The scanner 18, which is stored in aholster 20 mounted to a side of the unit 16, is adapted to read indiciameans such as an ear tag 22 bearing optical characters such as a barcode for uniquely identifying each animal. Rather than having to writedown the animal's identifying number on a sheet, therefore, the operator12 need only scan the ear tag 22 and the identifying number iselectronically read and accurately recorded within the unit 16. Theportable unit also includes a character menu sheet 24 that bears opticalcharacters such as bar codes corresponding to treatment data comprisingthe observed physical condition of the animal as well as drug treatmentsthat may be administered. The sheet 24 is mounted behind a clear plasticdoor of the unit 16 and includes bar codes on the sheet's left and rightmargins. The bar codes on the left margin are for enteringidentification numbers of drugs, numerical quantities, and menuselection steps during program execution. The bar codes on the rightmargin are for entering sickness codes, sex of the animal, and commandsfor scrolling through the prior health history, for entering data andfor quitting after observation or treatment is concluded. The operatorcan thus enter the identity of the animal and treatment data by simplyscanning the menu sheet 24 with the scanner 18. The treatment data isrecorded along with the animal's identifying number within the unit 16.Visual feedback to the operator 12 of the prior health history and thedata just entered is provided by a display device such as video monitor25. The monitor 25 also displays the program prompts provided to theoperator 12 by the unit 16 for entering the data, as will be describedin detail hereafter.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the elements within the chassis ofthe unit 16. The scanner 18 is connected via a spring cord to aconventional laser interface module 26 such as MSI Data CorporationModel 1365 for communicating data represented by optical characters to aportable terminal 28. The data terminal 28 is of conventional designsuch as a PDTIII available from the MSI Data Corporation and includes amicroprocessor, associated memory for storing an instruction program andfor recording data, a keyboard 29 for data entry, and a display 30 fordisplaying executing programs and recorded data. The keyboard 29 isreached through the door opening of the unit 16 and is an alternative tothe scanner 18 for entering data that is not bar coded, such as the timeand date of treatment and the lot number of the animal, or if thescanner malfunctions. Also shown in the schematic is an optional liquidcrystal display (LCD) screen 32 connected to the terminal 28 through areset switch 34, a power switch 35, and a selector switch 36. The resetswitch 34 reinitializes the module 26. The switch 35 controls power tothe scanner 18 and LCD screen 32 to electrically disconnect them whennot required by the operator. The selector switch 36 directs the datathat is entered via the scanner 18 into the terminal 28 to either theLCD screen 32 (visible through the transparent door of unit 16 above themenu sheet 24) or to the video monitor 25 via a serial data connector 38such as an RS232 port. These additional display devices are optionallyavailable because of the difficulty in reading the display 30 from adistance. The LCD screen 32 is normally selected by a single operatorwhile the monitor 25 is usually employed when a crew is working in thehospital 14 and a number of the members must view the displaysimultaneously. The power source for the unit 16 is a battery 40 whichis charged through a power supply line via the connector 38.

Referring to FIG. 3, the data treatment recorded by the unit 16 isperiodically transferred to a host computer 50 remote from the animalhospital 14 to update the health histories of observed and treatedanimals. The host computer 50 is intended for collecting data on feedlotoperations in general and maintains the cumulative health history ofeach animal in the feedlot. The portable unit 16 when transferring thedata is coupled to the host computer 50 via a conducting cable 52. Thecomputer 50 in turn is adapted to collect the treatment data recordedwithin the portable unit 16 and produce an accumulation of such dataassociated with each animal. This accumulation of data comprises theanimal's health history. After the current data is transferred, thecomputer 50 is programmed to transfer to unit 16 in return theup-to-date health history of each animal as well as current feedlotinformation, such as newly established lot numbers. The cable 52 alsoincludes the power supply line for charging the battery 40 within theunit 16.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the elements comprising thecomputer 50. The computer itself is of conventional design and includesa video monitor 54 for displaying data and a keyboard 56 for data entry.The computer 50 includes an interface board 58 for receiving dataentered via a second bar code scanner 62 and a second laser interfacemodule 64. The interface board 58 transfers the data to and from acentral microprocessor 66 equipped with internal memory and disk drives.Data and instruction programs stored in memory and on disk can be viewedon monitor 54. The computer 50 is also connected to a printer 68 forprinting the health histories and other related documents. Power issupplied to the computer through a conventional power supply 72. Thepower supply 72 is also coupled to a battery charger 74 which suppliespower for the unit 16. The up-to-date animal health histories,programming, and other feedlot information are transmitted as serialdata from the computer 50 along with power to the unit 16 via aconnector 76 coupled to the cable 52.

The host computer 50 serves a number of functions in addition tocollecting treatment data to produce health histories for each animaltreated. One related function is tracking inventory of drugs fortreatment of the animals. Referring again to FIG. 4, computer 50 islocated adjacent to a drug room 77 which stores drug inventory. Eachdrug container 78 is labeled with a bar code 79 for identifying thedrugs therein and a menu sheet 80 is present for entering the amount ofdrugs within each container when removed for drug treatment and theamount remaining in each container when returned for restocking or whenadditional amounts are added to inventory. The computer 50 is programmedto compare the net amount of drugs taken from the inventory ascommunicated by the scanner 62 against the amount of drugs used intreatment in the animal hospital 14 as communicated by the scanner 18.The difference between the two amounts over a predetermined time canthereby be determined for monitoring loss due to breakage, theft, etc.This difference, as well as the comparable amounts, are printed atrequest as a drug usage report as will be described.

The System—Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the system for possible use where acontinuous source of power such is AC power is available in the hospital14. The system includes a remote “dumb” terminal comprising the scanner18, the video display 25, and a keyboard 75, all in communication withthe host computer 50 through a node 83 that includes communication portsand a power supply. The terminal acts an extension of host computer 50,relaying treatment data to the computer in real time and displaying theup-to-date health histories transferred to the display from the hostcomputer. This real time communication, when possible, avoids the needfor physically moving the portable unit to the host computer and thedelay in updating the prior health histories of the animals.

FIG. 5 also shows data entry means such as a transmitter-receiverantenna 85 and indicia means such as transponder 87 attached to an earfor identifying the animal 10. The antenna is preferably of a typesimilar to an RDREO1, integrater reader available from AllflexInternational and the tag is preferably a transponder of the typesimilar to an EID ear tag also available from Allflex International. Theantenna is mounted along side the cattle chute 89 and emits a signalthat reaches the transponder 87 when animal 10 passes by the antenna 85.The tag 87 in response emits a unique signal identifying the animal,which is electronically “read” by the antenna 87 and communicated to thehost computer 50 via a computer interface unit 91 such as a CIUMO1 fromAllflex International. Alternatively, the transponder 87 may be anactive transmitter that continuously emits a radio signal for receptionby a passive antenna 85. This means for automatically identifying theanimal avoids the delay associated with the operator having to move toeach animal for identifying it by scanning the ear tag. The entry oftreatment data, however, is handled in the same manner as in the firstembodiment, with the scanner 18 utilized to scan bar codes on menu sheet24 corresponding to physical conditions and any drug treatmentadministered to the animal. The keyboard 75, however, is available ifdata cannot be entered via the antenna 85 or scanner 18.

Method of Operation

The computer 50 and data terminal 28 within unit 16 are programmed inBASIC, according to the method illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6through 8. FIG. 6 shows the options pertinent to the present inventionand available to the operator upon logging onto the computer 50. A mainmenu (81) appears with three options. An inventory menu (82) is selectedfor working with the drug inventory; a hospital/processing menu (84) isselected for working with the cattle feedlot records; or the procedurefor monitoring the removal and restocking of drugs is selected as drugsare to be used, such as in the animal hospital 14. With this thirdoption, the operator scans the bar code 79 of the containers 78 thatcontain drugs required for treatment. He is then prompted to specify thepurpose of the drug (86), specify the cattle lots the drug is being usedfor (88), and to enter the drug amounts removed and restocked (90). Thisdata is used to adjust the book inventory stored within the computer'smemory (92). The entry of data is indicated by “carriage returns” (CR).

The inventory menu option (82) is selected for monitoring the inventory.For example, one choice thereunder is to print the daily inventoryreport, with the book inventory, restocking information, andtransactions grouped by product (94). Another option is to manuallyadjust the inventory in case of a breakage of drugs within the inventory(96). Other options include monitoring the difference between physicalinventory as determined by a count and book inventory as determined bythe checking in and checking out of drugs previously described. From theinventory menu (82), the operator can also enter the physical inventoryfor comparison against the book inventory (98). The difference betweenphysical inventory and book inventory of each product (100) can then bepresented. The actual physical usage as determined by a physicalinventory of the drugs can be compared with the amount administered(102). The totals can then be adjusted as appropriate (104). Theoperator can additionally print the net amount taken from inventory fordrug treatment against the amount recorded from the portable unit 16(105) as administered.

The third option of the main menu (81), the hospital/processing menu(84), enables the operator to set up new lots for cattle brought intothe feedlot and to prepare group drug treatments known as processingorders and hospital treatments which are administered to the animals.Referring now to FIG. 7B, a first option is a lot number menu (106)appearing at the right of the figure and is selected whenever a newcattle lot is to be set up (108). This menu allows the operator to addheader information to the lot (110), change the header information(112), or review the lots presently within the feedlot operation (114).The lot menu (106) also includes an option for deleting a cattle lot(116) after the cattle within the lot have been shipped from thefeedlot.

A second option under the hospital processing menu is a processing ordermenu (118). Within this menu is a command for adding a processing order(120). First, a number is assigned to a unique combination of drugs tobe administered as the processing order or treatment (122). The drugsdesired are then selected (124), and the dosages per head or per 100pounds are entered (126). The selection of drugs and dosages are thenrepeated until the processing order is complete (127). The menu (118)also permits the operator to print a list of current processing orders(128) or delete an existing processing order (130). An operator can alsoview a present processing order (132) and change it if desired (134) bychanging the drugs or their amounts (136).

Referring now to FIG. 7A, a third option under the hospital/processingmenu (84) is a hospital treatment menu (137). Hospital treatments differfrom processing orders in that hospital treatments are normally intendedfor specific sicknesses and include a combination of drugs for treatingthat sickness. Processing orders, on the other hand, are not directed tospecific sicknesses and are typically administered to all cattle in alot, outside the animal hospital 14. The hospital treatment menu (137)includes basically the same selections as in the processing order menu(118) and for brevity descriptions of the selections therein are notrepeated here.

The other options under the hospital/processing menu (84) include anoption (138) at the left of FIG. 7A enabling the operator to assign andrecord treatments for the animals without entering the data through theportable unit 16. This option minimizes data entry where it is knownthat all cattle in a given lot will receive a specified treatment. Theoption (138) includes a command for updating the figures for drugs usedin each hospital treatment (140). A similar option (142) allows theoperator to assign one or more drugs or processing orders to one or morelots. The operator can print the processing sheet for each order (144)and also has the ability to update figures in the orders for the drugsused (146).

Just as he can assign drugs and treatments to lots, the operator has theoption of deleting and editing treatments (148). These options includedeleting previously assigned treatments (150), editing existingtreatments for a given animal (152), and entering new hospitaltreatments for a given animal (154).

Communication via cable 52 with the portable unit 16 is also handledthrough the hospital/processing menu (84). The menu (84) allows theoperator to print the daily hospital report (156) of the animals treatedas well as receive the day's hospital treatment from the portable (158).The daily treatments are stored on disk in appropriate lot files (160).The operator can also print the day's hospital and processing activitywith cost information (162). The updated health history and new lotnumbers are then be downloaded into the portable unit 16 to keep itcurrent (164). The program also updates in memory the amount of drugsused in treating each animal (166).

One concern of feedlots is the shipping of cattle not yet suitable forconsumption. A further option under the menu (84) allows the operator tocheck when a lot may be shipped (168) by entering the lot number andestimated shipping date (170). Animals that are not ready for shippingwithin the lot are then displayed by number (172).

Referring again to FIG. 7B, an operator selects the report/printout menuoption (174) whenever a report on treatments administered for each lotis required. Under menu (174), an operator can print a treatment reportwhich indicates all hospital treatments between any two given dates(176). The operator may also print the lot reports which indicate alltreatment with drug cost, both processing and hospital, administered toa specified lot since a lot was created (178). A third selection is forsummarizing information on each lot by simply printing the header (180).

One other option shown allows the operator under menu (84) to enter thesickness names such as bloat, prolapse, etc., that will be recognized bythe portable unit 16 and will appear on.menu sheet 24 (186). If thesickness codes are changed at the hospital/processing menu, the menusheet 24 is also updated.

The treatment data recorded in the portable unit 16 during a treatmentsession is entered in response to prompts from the instructional programstored within the terminal 28. FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate the operation ofthis program. Referring to FIG. 8A, the program prompts the operator 12on the display such as video monitor 25 to enter the date and time oftreatment via the keyboard 29 (200). A main menu (202) then appears onthe monitor 25, which gives the operator several choices. One choiceallows the operator to include and exclude various prompts andverifications of entered data which appear throughout the figure.Deletion of verifications, shown in these flowcharts, may be made byexperienced operators who known the program operation well. The secondchoice commands the unit 16 to transfer its data to the host computer50. A third choice allows for the entry of treatment data initially.

The operator thus begins treatment with this third choice by scanningthe appropriate number on the menu sheet 24. He is then prompted to scanthe ear tag of the animal to be treated or key in the tag number toidentify the animal to the unit 16 (203). If he scans the tag, thenumber is automatically verified (204). If keyed in, the ear tag numberis then displayed so that the operator may visually verify his entry(205) before scanning a CR. Once the ear tag has been verified, theprogram checks to see if the animal is new or has a previous treatmenthistory (206). If the animal does have a record, the monitor 25 displaysthe last treatment for the animal (208). The operator can then scrollthrough previous treatments (210) via commands on menu sheet 24 todetermine the health history of the animal (212). The operator can alsoquit the program by scanning the quit command on the menu sheet 24. Thequit option is always available throughout the program, though notrepeatedly shown in the figure for clarity. All data entered before thequit command is invoked is recorded. On the other hand, the operator canalways “bail out” of the program if trouble develops therein by scanningthe numerals 9999. No data entered during a treatment session is savedif the operator “bails out.”

If no previous treatments have been administered, the operator entersthe lot number through keyboard 29 (213) and scans the CR. The programthen compares the lot number with those stored in memory. If it is a newlot number, the program alerts the operator that it is included andprompts for reentry. Entering the same number a second time establishesthe lot number. The program then prompts the operator to verify hisentry (214), which he does by a CR scan.

The operator is then prompted to enter a sickness code (216), such as arespiratory or intestinal condition, appearing on the menu sheet 24. Thecode is then displayed momentarily for the operator's verification(220). If the sickness code entered indicates the animal is dead (222),this data is stored immediately (224) and the treatment session isended. If the animal is merely sick, however, the operator is promptedfor the severity of the illness and enters a severity code number inresponse such as 1, 2, or 3 (226) from the menu sheet 24.

Following entry of the animal's identity and sickness diagnosis, theoperator may be prompted for other physical conditions such as theanimal's temperature. Referring to FIG. 8B, he enters the temperature(232) in response, and it is displayed by the program for operatorverification. The last recorded temerature is also displayed (234). Theprogram then prompts the operator for the animal's destination, and theoperator enters the pen type and particular pen number by scanning thecorresponding numbers on the menu screen 24 (240, 242). These pen typesinclude home pens, recovery pens, or hospital pens such as hospital 14.

Following the intended destination, the operator is prompted to enternumbers identifying the drug or hospital treatment to be administered tothe animal (244). Each individual drug and hospital treatment has aunique identification number. If the number entered by the operator isgreater than 1000, i.e., has four digits, then the program determinesthat an individual drug is to be administered (246). The identificationnumber is then checked against a stored list to determine if it is valid(248). The operator is alerted if the number is invalid, and he mayattempt reentry (250). Once a valid identification number has beenentered, the program checks to determine if the drug requires awithdrawal date (252). Certain drugs require that the animal be kept inthe feedlot for a period of time after it is administered a drug toprevent undesired side effects to consumers. The program has storedwithin it the time period for each drug and calculates from thetreatment data the earliest release date of the animal thereafter. Ifthe drug has a withdrawal problem, the information is displayed (254)and the operator is given the opportunity to reconsider administeringthe drug (256). If no withdrawal date is displayed or if the operatorchooses to administer the drug in any event, the program then promptsthe operator to enter the number of units to be administered (258). Theamount entered is checked against an allowable dosage range to protectthe animal from an overdose. The portable unit 16 then verifies thenumber of units to be administered (260). This drug treatment data isstored within the memory of the terminal 28 for later transfer to thecomputer 50 (262). The operator is then queried if more treatments areto be given the animal in the present treatment session (264).

Administering and recording hospital treatments are similar to the stepsfollowed for individual drugs. Returning to step (246) and thenreferring to FIG. 8C, an entered number less than 1000, i.e., twodigits, is first verified by the operator as a hospital treatment number(266) via a scanned CR. The program then checks to see if the numberentered is a valid treatment number (268). The operator is alerted ifthe number is invalid (270). If the number is valid, the program thendetermines if there is a withdrawal problem with this treatment (272)and displays the appropriate information if such problem exists (274).The operator again has the option to proceed or choose another treatmentor.drug (276). The program also determines whether the treatment has aweight dependent dosage (278). If so, the program prompts the operatorto enter the animal's weight (280), which must fall within apredetermined range to be accepted as valid. The entered weight is thenverified by the operator (282) via a scanned CR, and the programcalculates and displays the dosages to be administered (284). Theoperator at this point can accept or reject the treatment as calculated(286). If accepted and administered, the amount of treatment is thenstored (288).

The operator is then prompted to determine if further drugs or treatmentis to be administered to the particular animal (290) in this treatmentsession. If treatment is finished, all data is then stored within thememory of the terminal 28 and the operator proceeds to examine the nextanimal. Once treatment is concluded, the operator quits the program(292).

At the conclusion of the day or other predetermined reporting period,the unit 16 is carried to the location of the computer 50 and the twoconnected by cable 52. Referring again to FIG. 8A, the operator theninitiates data transfer via the main menu of the program within the unit16 (202). The appropriate commands are first selected on the hostcomputer 50 (156-160). The operator then enters a transfer command inresponse to a prompt (294), and the data is transferred (296). Thetransferred data is collected to update the health histories of theanimals treated in that session. The updated health histories are thentransferred back to the terminal 28 for review and display in steps(208) through (212).

Where the “dumb” terminal is employed in place of the portable unit 16,the instructional program illustrated in FIGS. 8A-C is stored within thememory of the host computer 50. No recording of data for later transfer,however, is required.

Having illustrated and described the principles of the invention in apreferred embodiment, it should be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail withoutdeparting from such principles. For example, although the invention isdescribed in the context of a feedlot, it is not so limited. I claim allmodifications coming within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for assisting an operator in selecting adrug treatment for animals selected from a group of retained animals,comprising: (a) a data entry device entering into a computer animalidentification and selected drug treatment information for an identifiedanimal; (b) a computer providing a health and drug treatment history forthe identified animal, a list of drug treatments available for theanimal, one or more of the drug treatments requiring a withdrawalperiod, and withdrawal information for a selected drug treatment as towhether the drug treatment should be administered; and (c) a data outputdevice in communication with the computer and providing, in response toentry of an animal identification into the data entry device, anidentified animal's health and drug treatment history and, in responseto entry of a selected drug treatment requiring a withdrawal period, thewithdrawal information.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the data outputdevice is located adjacent to a drug treatment location for the animal.3. The system of claim 2 wherein the data entry device is locatedadjacent to a drug treatment location for the animal.
 4. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the data output device is located apart from a drugtreatment location for the animal.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein thedata output device is a video terminal.
 6. The system of claim 1including means for electronically identifying the animal to thecomputer.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the data entry device islocated adjacent to a drug treatment location for the animal.
 8. Asystem for assisting an operator in selecting a drug treatment foranimals selected from a group of retained animals, comprising: (a) adata entry device entering into a computer animal identification andselected drug treatment information for an identified animal; (b) acompter providing health and drug treatment history for the identifiedanimal, a list of drug treatments available for the animal, one or moreof the drug treatments requiring a withdrawal period, and withdrawalinformation for a selected drug treatment as to when or whether theanimal may be released; and (c) a data output device in communicationwith the computer and providing, in response to entry of an animalidentification into the data entry device, an identified animal's healthand drug treatment history and, in response to entry of a selected drugtreatment requiring a withdrawal period, the withdrawal information. 9.The system of claim 8 wherein the data output device is located adjacentto a drug treatment location for the animal.
 10. The system of claim 9wherein the data entry device is located adjacent to a drug treatmentlocation for the animal.
 11. The system of claim 8 wherein the dataoutput device is located adjacent to a drug treatment location for theanimal.
 12. The system of claim 8 wherein the data output device islocated apart from a drug treatment location for the animal.
 13. Thesystem of claim 6 including means for electronically identifying theanimal to the computer.
 14. The system of claim 8 wherein the data entrydevice is located adjacent to a drug treatment location for the animal.15. A system for providing health and drug treatment histories foranimals selected from a group of retained animals, comprising: means atan animal treatment location for communicating data about animalsbetween an operator at the location and a computer; and a computercommunicable with the communicating means and programmed for: storinghealth and drug treatment history of animals to be treated and a list ofavailable drug treatments and their drug withdrawal periods; in responseto entry of an animal's identity into the computer through thecommunicating means, providing to the operator at the animal treatmentlocation the animal's health and drug treatment history; and in responseto entry of a selected drug treatment for the animal into thecommunicating means, providing to the operator at the animal treatmentlocation a weight-dependent dosage and drug withdrawal information thatincludes or is derived from a drug withdrawal period.
 16. The system ofclaim 15 wherein the withdrawal information in the computer is a drugwithdrawal period.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the withdrawalinformation in the computer is a drug withdrawal period.
 18. The systemof claim 17 wherein the withdrawal information in the computer includesthe number of days, if any, the animal will be late for shipping if thedrug is administered.
 19. The system of claim 15 wherein the withdrawalinformation in the computer includes a calculated earliest release datefor the animal calculated in response to entry of a selected drugtreatment.
 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the computer is furtherprogrammed to provide a prompt to an operator to enter into the computera dosage of drugs to be administered and to alert the operator if theentered dosage is outside an allowable range.
 21. The system of claim 17wherein the computer is further programmed to alert the operator if theselected drug treatment to be administered wil affect the shipping dateof the animal.
 22. The system of claim 15 wherein the computer isfurther programmed, as part of its providing drug withdrawal informationfor the selected drug treatment, to display the drug withdrawal period.23. The system of claim 15 including means for electronicallyidentifying the animal to the computer.
 24. A system for assisting anoperator to select a drug treatment for animals which are selected froma group of retained animals for treatment at a drug treatment location,the system comprising: a computer for storing health and drug treatmenthistories of animals to be treated; a data entry device for enteringinto the computer the identity of an animal to be treated at the drugtreatment location; a data output device at the drug treatment locationin communication with the computer; the computer being operable inresponse to entry of the animal's identity, to provide through the dataoutput device at the drug treatment location in the animal's health anddrug treatment history, the history including prior diagnoses and drugtreatments; the data entry device being operable to enter a diagnosisinto the computer; the computer being operable to store the diagnosis inthe computer as an addition to the animal's health history; the computerstoring a list of available drug treatments and their drug withdrawalperiods and being operable to provide through the data output device toan operator at the drug treatment location a list of available drugtreatments; the data entry device being operable to enable entry of aselected drug treatment into the computer by the operator from the listof available drug treatments; the computer being operable after entry ofa selected drug treatment, to provide to the operator at the drugtreatment location through the data output device drug withdrawalinformation that includes or is derived from a drug withdrawal period;the computer being operable to store an administered drug treatment asan addition to the animal's drug treatment history in response to entryof the administered drug treatment through the data entry device. 25.The system of claim 24 wherein the withdrawal information is a drugwithdrawal period.
 26. The system of claim 24 wherein the withdrawalinformation includes an animal shipping date and animal treatment date.27. The system of claim 24 wherein the withdrawal information includesthe number of days the animal will be late for shipping if the drug isadministered.
 28. The system of claim 24 wherein the computer calculatesan earliest release date for an animal following entry of a selecteddrug treamtment, said withdrawal information including the calculatedearliest release date for the animal.
 29. The system of claim 24 whereinthe drug treatment history provided by the computer at the drugtreatment location includes treatment cost.
 30. The system of claim 29including means for comparing through the computer an amount of drugsused in administering selected drug treatments against an amount ofdrugs taken from inventory for use in such treatments.
 31. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the data entry device for entering into the computerthe identity of an animal to be treated at the drug treatment locationincludes means for electronically identifying the animal to thecomputer.
 32. The system of claim 24 wherein the data output device forproviding through the computer at the drug treatment location withdrawalinformation for the selected drug treatment includes means fordisplaying the number of days the animal will be late for shipping ifthe drug is administered and means for promoting an operator todetermine if the operator wants to give the drug treatment.
 33. Thesystem of claim 24 wherein said computer is operable to provide throughthe data output device a list of animals and associated shipping statusbased on drug withdrawal information.
 34. The system of claim 24 whereinthe computer includes means for calculating when the animal may bereleased as part of said withdrawal information.
 35. The system of claim24 wherein the computer includes means for calculating an earliestpermitted release date related to a drug withdrawal period and means forcomparing that date with a date the animal is scheduled to be shipped.36. The system of claim 35 wherein the computer and the data outputdevice include means for alerting the operator if the release date islater than the shipping date.
 37. The system of claim 24 including meansfor providing through the computer to the data output device drugtreatments between two dates.
 38. The system of claim 24 including,means operable in response to entry into the computer of an estimatedshipping date for a group of animals, for indicating at the date outputdevice whether the group is safe to ship based on the drug withdrawalinformation for animals within the group.
 39. The system of claim 24including, means operable in response to entry into the computer of alot number for a group of animals, for indicating at the data outputdevice whether the group is safe to ship based on the drug withdrawalinformation for animals within the group.
 40. The system of claim 24including, means operable in response to entry into the computer of pennumber for a group of animals, for indicating whether the group is safeto ship based on the drug withdrawal information for animals within thegroup.
 41. The system of claim 24 wherein the data entry device includesmeans for entering an animal weight and the computer includes meansresponsive to entry of the animal weight and entry of a selected drugtreamtment, for providing through the data output device at the drugtreatment location a weight-dependent dosage.
 42. The system of claim 41wherein the computer and data output device are operable to alert theoperator if the entered animal weight is outside an allowable range. 43.The system of claim 24 wherein the computer, in response to entry of theselected drug treatment, is operable to provide through the computer tothe data output device a prompt for an operator to enter into thecomputer a dosage of drugs to be administered; and the computer isfurther operable to alert the data output device through the computer ifthe entered dosage is outside an allowable range.
 44. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the data input device operable to enter a diagnosisinto the computer includes means for electronically entering sicknesscodes into the computer.
 45. The system of claim 24 wherein the datainput device operable to enter a diagnosis into the computer includesmeans for electronically entering a temperature for the animal.
 46. Thesystem of claim 24 wherein the data input device is operable to enterinto the computer a destination for the animal after its treatment. 47.The system of claim 24 wherein the data output device is operable toalert an operator, in response to entry of a selected drug treatmentinto the computer through the data entry device, whether the selecteddrug treatment in invalid.
 48. The system of claim 24 wherein the dataoutput device is operable to alert an operator if a selected drugtreatment entered into the computer will affect the release date of theanimal.
 49. The system of claim 24 wherein the withdrawal informationfor the selected drug treatment includes a withdrawal period displayedon the data output device.
 50. A system for assisting an operator toselect a drug treatment for animals that are selected from a group ofretained animals for treatment at a drug treatment location, the systemcomprising: a computer for storing health and drug treatment historiesof animals to be treated; a data entry device for entering into thecomputer the identity of an animal to be treated at the drug treatmentlocation; a data output device at the drug treatment location incommunication with the computer; the computer being operable in responseto entry of the animal's identity, to provide through the computer atthe drug treatment location the animal's health and drug treatmenthistory, the history including prior diagnoses and drug treatments; thedata entry device being operable to enter a diagnosis into the computer;the computer being operable to store the diagnosis in the computer as anaddition to the animal's health history; the computer storing a list ofavailable drug treatments and their drug withdrawal periods and beingoperable to provide to an operator at the drug treatment locationthrough the data output device a list of available drug treatments; thedata entry device being operable to enter the selected drug treatmentinto the computer; in response to entry of the selected drug treatment,the computer being operable to alert an operator with drug withdrawalinformation that includes or is derived from a drug withdrawal period;the computer being operable to store the administered drug treatmententered through the data entry device as an addition to the animal'sdrug treatment history.
 51. The system of claim 50 wherein the computeris operable to alert the operator at the drug treatment location throughthe data output device.
 52. The system of claim 50 wherein the dataentry device is operable to enter an animal weight into the computerand, following entry of the selected drug treatment and the animalweight, the computer is operable to provide to the operator at the drugtreatment location a weight-dependent dosage.
 53. The system of claim 50wherein the withdrawal information includes a drug withdrawal period.54. The system of claim 50 wherein the withdrawal information includesan animal shipping date and animal treatment date.
 55. The system ofclaim 50 wherein the withdrawal information includes the number of daysthe animal will be late for shipping if the drug is administered. 56.The system of claim 50 wherein the withdrawal information includes acalculated earliest release date for the animal and the computer isoperable to calculate said date.
 57. The system of claim 50 wherein thecomputer includes means for alerting an operator if an entered animalweight is outside an allowable range.
 58. The system of claim 50 whereinthe computer includes means for alerting an operator if the dosage ofdrugs to be administered is outside an allowable range.
 59. The systemof claim 50 wherein the computer includes means for alerting theoperator if the drug treatment being administered will affect therelease data of the animal.
 60. The system of claim 50 wherein the alertincludes a display of the drug withdrawal period on the data outputdevice.
 61. The system of claim 50 wherein the data entry deviceincludes means for electronically identifying the animal to thecomputer.
 62. A system for assisting an operator to select a drugtreatment for animals which are selected from a group of retainedanimals for treatment at a drug treatment location, the systemcomprising: a computer storing health and drug treatment histories ofanimals to be treated; a data entry device for entering into thecomputer the identity of an animal to be treated at the drug treatmentlocation; a data output device at the drug treatment location incommunication with the computer; the computer being operable in responseto entry of the animal's identity, to provide through the computer anddata output device at the drug treatment location the animal's healthand drug treatment history, the history including prior diagnoses anddrug treatments; the data entry device being operable to enter adiagnosis into the computer; the computer being operable to store theentered diagnosis as an addition to the animal's health history; thecomputer storing a list of available drug treatments and their drugwithdrawal periods; the computer being operable to provide to anoperator at the drug treatment location through the data output device alist of available drug treatments; the data entry device being operableto enter a selected drug treatment into the computer; in response toentry of a selected drug treatment, the computer being operable toprovide to the operator at the drug treatment location through the dataoutput device withdrawal information that includes or is derived from adrug withdrawal period; the computer being operable to store theselected drug treatment in the computer as an addition to the animal'sdrug treatment history after entry of the treatment through the dataentry device; the computer being operable to provide through the dataoutput device to an operator at the drug treatment location drugwithdrawal information that includes or is derived from a drugwithdrawal period.
 63. The system of claim 62 wherein the withdrawalinformation is a drug withdrawal period.
 64. The system of claim 62wherein the withdrawal information includes an animal shipping date andanimal treatment date.
 65. The system of claim 62 wherein the withdrawalinformation includes the number of days the animal will be late forshipping if the drug is administered.
 66. The system of claim 62 whereinthe withdrawal information includes a calculated earliest release datefor the animal.
 67. The system of claim 62 wherein the computer isoperable through the data output device to alert the operator if thedrug treatment being administered will affect the release data of theanimal.
 68. The system of claim 62 wherein the drug withdrawalinformation includes a display of the drug withdrawal period by the dataoutput device.
 69. The system of claim 62 wherein the data entry deviceincludes means for entering into the computer an animal weight and, inresponse to entry of an animal weight and the selected drug treatment,the computer is operable to provide to the operator through the dataoutput device at the drug treatment location a weight-dependent dosage.70. The system of claim 62 wherein the data entry device, includes meansfor electronically identifying the animal to the computer.
 71. A systemfor assisting an operator to provide drug treatment to a group ofanimals at a drug treatment location, the system comprising: a dataentry device for entering into a computer the identity of animals in thegroup to be treated; a computer storing a list of available drugprocessing orders and their drug withdrawal periods as well as aninventory of available drugs; a data output device providing through thecomputer to an operator a list of available processing orders; the dataentry device being operable to select a drug processing order for theanimals from the list of processing orders; the computer being operableto store an entered and administered processing order as an addition toeach animal's drug treatment history; the computer being operablefollowing administration and entry of the selected processing order andprior to shipment; to provide to an operator withdrawal information thatincludes or is derived from a drug withdrawal period; and the computerfurther being operable to decrease the inventory of available drugsstored in the computer by the quantity of drugs used in administeringthe processing order.
 72. The system of claim 71 wherein the withdrawalinformation is a drug withdrawal period.
 73. The system of claim 71wherein the withdrawal information includes an animal shipping date andanimal treatment date.
 74. The system of claim 71 wherein the withdrawalinformation includes a calculated earliest release date for the animal.75. The system of claim 71 wherein the data entry device is operable toenter into the computer a weight for an animal, and in response to entryof a weight, the computer is operable to alert an operator if the weightis outside an allowable range.
 76. The system of claim 71 wherein thedata entry device for entering into a computer the identity of animalsin the group to be treated is operable to enter into the computer agroup identification number.
 77. The system of claim 71 wherein the dataentry device for entering into a computer the identity of animals in thegroup to be treated is operable to enter into the computer an individualanimal identification number.
 78. The system of claim 77 whereinfollowing entry of an animal weight and following entry of a selecteddrug treatment, the computer is operable to provide to the operator aweight-dependent dosage.
 79. The system of claim 71 wherein the computeris operable to provide a list of animals and associated shipping statusbased on the drug withdrawal information.
 80. The system of claim 71wherein the system also assists in providing individual animaltreatments by further comprising: the computer storing health and drugtreatment histories of individual animals to be treated; the data entrydevice being operable to enter into the computer at a drug treatmentlocation the identity of each animal to be individually treated;following entry of an animal's identity, the computer being operable toprovide through the data output device at the drug treatment locationthe individual animal's health and drug treatment history, the historyincluding prior diagnoses and drug treatments; the data entry devicebeing operable to enter a diagnosis of the individual animal into thecomputer; following entry of the diagnosis, the computer being operableto store the diagnosis as an addition to the animal's health history;the computer storing a list of available drug treatments; the computerbeing operable to provide to an operator at the drug treatment locationa list of available drug treatments after entry of the diagnosis; thedata entry device being operable to enter a selected drug treatment intothe computer; the computer being operable to store the selected andadministered drug treatment in the computer as an addition to theanimal's treatment history.
 81. The system of claim 80 wherein: thecomputer stores drug withdrawal periods for the stored list of availabledrug treatments; in response to entry of a selected drug treatment, thecomputer is operable to provide to the operator at the drug treatmentlocation drug withdrawal information that includes or is derived from adrug withdrawal period.
 82. The system of claim 81 wherein the computeris operable to alert the operator if a selected and entered drugtreatment will affect the release date of the animal.
 83. The system ofclaim 82 wherein the alert includes a display of the drug withdrawalperiod by the data output device.
 84. The system of claim 81 wherein thewithdrawal information in the computer includes the number of days theanimal will be late for shipping if the drug is administered.
 85. Thesystem of claim 81 wherein the displayed withdrawal information for aselected drug treatment includes a display of the number of days theanimal will be late for shipping if the drug is administered and aprompt to an operator to determine if the operator wants to give thedrug treatment.
 86. The system of claim 81 wherein the withdrawalinformation for a selected drug treatment includes a computer-calculatedrelease date.
 87. The system of claim 81 wherein the computer includesmeans for calculating an earliest permitted release date related to adrug withdrawal period and means for comparing that date with a storeddate the animal is scheduled to be shipped, and means for displaying thecomparision as part of the withdrawal information provided through thedata output device.
 88. The system of claim 81 wherein the computerincludes means for altering the operator if the release date is laterthan the shipping date.
 89. The system of claim 81 wherein the computerincludes means for providing through the data output device individualanimal drug treatments between two dates.
 90. The system of claim 81wherein the computer includes means for indicating through the dataoutput device whether a group of animals is safe to ship based on drugwithdrawal information for animals within the group.
 91. The system ofclaim 81 wherein the computer, in response to entry of a selected drugtreatment, is operable to alert the operator through the data outputdevice if an entered dosage is outside an allowable range.
 92. Thesystem of claim 81 wherein the data entry device is operable to enterinto the computer a destination for the animal after its treatment. 93.The system of claim 81 wherein the computer, after entry of a selecteddrug treatment, alerts the operator through the data output devicewhether the selected drug treatment is invalid.
 94. The system of claim71 wherein the data entry device includes means for electronicallyidentifying the animal to the computer.
 95. A system for assisting anoperator to provide drug treatment to animals which are selected from agroup of retained animals for treatment at a drug treatment location,the system comprising: a computer for storing health and drug treatmenthistories of animals to be treated, and an inventory of drugs availablefor use in drug treatment; a data entry device for enteringelectronically into the computer the identity of an animal to be treatedat the drug treatment location; a data output device operable inresponse to entry of an animal's identity, to provide through thecomputer at the drug treatment location the animal's health and drugtreatment history, the history including prior diagnoses and drugtreatments; the data entry device being operable to enter a diagnosisinto the computer; the computer being operable to store the entereddiagnosis in the computer as an addition to the animal’s health history;the computer storing a list of available drug treatments and their drugwithdrawal periods; the computer being operable to provide through thedata output device to an operator at the drug treatment location a listof available drug treatments; the data entry device being operable toenter a selected drug treatment into the computer; following entry of aselected drug treatment, the computer being operable to provide throughthe data output device to the operator at the drug treatment locationdrug withdrawal information that includes or is derived from a drugwithdrawal period; the data entry device being operable to enter intothe computer a selected drug treatment, and the computer being operableto store the selected drug treatment as an addition to the animal's drugtreatment history; and the computer being operable to decrease thestored drug inventory in the computer by the quantity of the drugs usedin the selected and administered drug treatment.
 96. The system of claim95 including: the data entry device being operable to enter an animalweight and, following entry of a selected drug treatment, the computerbeing operable to provide through the data output device to the operatorat the drug treatment location a weight-dependent dosage; and inresponse to entry of a lot number, pen number, or an estimated shippingdate for the animal, through the data entry device, the data outputdevice being operable through the computer to indicate whether theanimal is safe to ship based on the drug withdrawal information foranimals within the group.
 97. A system for assisting an operator inproviding drug treatment to animals at a drug treatment location, thesystem comprising: a data entry device for entering electronically intoa computer the identity of animals in the group to be treated; acomputer storing a list of available processing orders and their drugwithdrawal periods; a data output device for providing through thecomputer to an operator a list of available processing orders; the dataentry device including means for entering a selected processing orderinto the computer; the computer storing an administered processing orderas an addition to each animal's drug treatment history; the computerdecreasing inventory of drugs by the quantity of drugs in theadministered processing order; the computer storing health and drugtreatment histories of animals to be treated; the data entry devicebeing operable to enter electronically into the computer the identity ofan animal to be treated individually at the drug treatment location;following entry of the individual animal's identity, the computer beingoperable to provide through the data output device at the drug treatmentlocation the animal's health and drug treatment history, the historyincluding prior diagnoses and drug treatments; the data entry deviceincluding means for entering a diagnosis into the computer; the computerstoring an entered diagnosis of the animal to be treated as an additionto the animal's health history; the computer storing a list of availabledrug treatments and their drug withdrawal periods; the computer beingoperable to provide through the data output device to an operator at thedrug treatment location a list of available drug treatments; the dataentry device including means for entering a selected drug treatment intothe computer; the data entry device including means for entering ananimal's weight and, following entry of the selected drug treatment, thecomputer being operable to provide to the operator through the dataoutput device at the drug treatment location a weight-dependent dosage;and the computer storing an administered drug treatment entered in thecomputer as an addition to the animal's drug treatment history.
 98. Thesystem of claim 97 wherein the computer provides the list of availableprocessing orders to the operator at the drug treatment location throughthe data output device.